Effingham's News and Sports Leader, 979XFM and KJ Country 102.3

Sunday's Schedule
2026-06-28
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee, 1:10 p.m.
Miami at St. Louis Cardinals, 1:15 p.m.
NASCAR
Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, 1:30 p.m.

Moo-Merica Celebrating 250 Years of America - in Stewardson
2026-06-28
PrintStewardson is celebrating 250 Years of America with Moo-Merica!

For more information, check out the Stewardson, IL page on Facebook, or call 217-663-2956

Ham Radio Field Day
2026-06-28
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Monday's Schedule
2026-06-29
PrintEFFINGHAM PARK DISTRICT
Prep League
At Evergreen Baseball Diamond
Game 1 – Country Financial, Meinhart/Donsbach vs. Holiday Inn & Express Suites, 5:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Brown’s Drug Store vs. Effingham Asphalt, 7:30 p.m.
Tomorrow’s Stars Khoury League
At Mike Sehy Field
Game 1 – Northside Ford vs. Taylor Law, 5:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Dan Hecht Chevrolet vs. Elk’s Lodge 1016, 7 p.m.
Minor Softball League
At East Softball Diamond
Game 1 – New Heights Crane Service vs. Effingham Veterinary Clinic, 5:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Bahrn’s Equipment vs. Arrow Pest Control, 7 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
San Diego at Chicago Cubs, 7:05 p.m.

Open Feast - A Free Meal at C.U.M.C.
2026-06-29

Dog Obedience Classes
2026-06-30

Free School Supplies - FISH Applications
2026-06-30

Tuesday's Schedule
2026-06-30
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
San Diego at Chicago Cubs, 7:05 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta, 6:15 p.m.

Tiny Seeds, Mighty Soil
2026-06-30
PrintEffingham Public Library hosts:
Tiny Seeds, Mighty Soil – with Ballard Nature Center, from 2 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library. What’s the scoop on dirt? How does soil help seeds? Join an educator from Ballard Nature Center for a program all about what lives & grows in soil and why it matters! Registration is required.
Visit effinghamlibrary.org, email info@effinghamlibrary.org or call 217-342-2464, Ext. 1, to learn more about this or other library programs.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover
2026-06-30
PrintEffingham Public Library hosts:
Stuffed Animal Sleepover – from 4 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday June 30, at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library. Join us for a Stuffed Animal Sleepover! Bring your favorite stuffed animal for a story time, then tuck them in for a sleepover at the library. Pick up your stuffed animal after 11am the following day, July 1st, along with a customized booklet detailing your stuffed animal’s library adventure. Registration is required. Please only bring one stuffed animal per child.
Visit effinghamlibrary.org, email info@effinghamlibrary.org or call 217-342-2464, Ext. 1, to learn more about this or other library programs.

Wednesday's Schedule
2026-07-01
PrintEFFINGHAM PARK DISTRICT
Prep League
At Evergreen Baseball Diamond
Game 1 – Teutopolis vs. Culver’s, 5:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Holiday Inn & Express Suites vs. Brown’s Drug Store, 7:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
San Diego at Chicago Cubs, 1:05 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta, 6:15 p.m.

Pirate Island
2026-07-01
PrintEffingham Public Library hosts:
Pirate Island – with Douglas Hart Nature Center, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library. Set sail on a hands-on pirate adventure featuring treasure maps, island animals, and even a pirate ship stowaway! Craft and live animal experience included! Registration Required.
Visit effinghamlibrary.org, email info@effinghamlibrary.org or call 217-342-2464, Ext. 1, to learn more about this or other library programs.

Cuddle Creations
2026-07-01
PrintEffingham Public Library hosts:
Cuddle Creations – from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, at the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library. Join us for a fun and creative workshop where you’ll learn how to crochet your very own plushie! The class will be taught by Britani Shumacher. Registration Required. Ages 9-15.
Visit effinghamlibrary.org, email info@effinghamlibrary.org or call 217-342-2464, Ext. 1, to learn more about this or other library programs.

Military Vehicle Display in Martinsville
2026-07-02
PrintThe Martinsville Chamber of Commerce is seeking collectors and enthusiasts to bring their vehicles or military equipment to a Military Vehicle Display on Thursday, July 2.
Martinsville Chamber of Commerce is hosting a number of activities at Linn Park to celebrate Independence Day, including a Military Vehicle Display at the Martinsville Public Library parking lot – adjacent to Linn Park.
For more information, please visit the post on the City of Martinsville’s website.

Thursday's Schedule
2026-07-02
PrintEFFINGHAM PARK DISTRICT
Prep League
At Evergreen Baseball Diamond
Game 1 – Culver’s vs. Mid-Illinois Concrete, 5:30 p.m.
Game 2 – Effingham Asphalt vs. Teutopolis, 7:30 p.m.
Minor Softball League
At East Softball Diamond
Game 1 – Arrow Pest Control vs. REMAX, 5:30 p.m.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta, 6:15 p.m.

America 250: The Story of 1776
2026-07-02
PrintEffingham Public Library hosts:
America 250: The Story of 1776 – with Ryan Ervin and the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum, from 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 2, at the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum, located at 100 E Jefferson in Effingham. Discover why July 4, 1776, was truly earth-shattering, and how the signers risked everything—fortune, reputation, and even their lives—for the cause of liberty. Through fascinating stories and little-known facts, this program will explore the document’s creation, its bold ideas, and its lasting impact on the United States and the world. Registration required.
Visit effinghamlibrary.org, email info@effinghamlibrary.org or call 217-342-2464, Ext. 1, to learn more about this or other library programs.

Red Cross Blood Drives in July
2026-07-02
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in July:
7/2, Thursday, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Parish Hall, Shelbyville, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
7/8, Wednesday, Teutopolis Banquet Hall, 12:30 – 5:30 PM
7/10, Friday, Clay County Health Dept. – Conference Room, Flora, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
7/10, Friday, Newton Knights of Columbus – Hall, Newton, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
7/15, Wednesday, Holy Cross Church of Wendelin – Hall, 1:30 – 5:30 PM
7/16, Thursday, First Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall, Shelbyville, Noon – 5:00 PM
7/17, Friday, Cornerstone Church – Gym, Effingham, 1:30 – 5:00 PM
7/25, Saturday, Cowden Community Building, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
7/27, Monday, Altamont Municipal Building – Meeting Room, 2:00 – 6:00 PM
7/28, Tuesday, South Central FS – Conference Room, Effingham, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Help us celebrate stars, stripes, and saving lives for America’s 250th!
Come to give blood from June 29-July 12 to score a classic Red Cross x Looney Tunes T-shirt, while supplies last!
Come give blood from July 13-31 for a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Visit RedCrossBlood.org/July for details.
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Pack The Bus
2026-07-02
PrintPack the Bus, sponsored by Catholic Charities and hosted by Premier Broadcasting, is this Thursday, July 2nd, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Stop by Classic Hits 979 and KJ Country 102.3 at 206 South Willow Street in Effingham to donate. Help us collect school supplies and clothing for local K-12 students.
Listen for details and check out 979XFM.com and KJCountry.com for more information on the school supplies that are needed to help area children be prepared for school!

Friday's Schedule
2026-07-03
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, 3:05 p.m.

USA 250 Let Freedom Ring Cookout
2026-07-03

Jasper County Celebration of America 250
2026-07-03
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It all starts at 2:00 pm and ends with fireworks at 9pm, for a full day of events and music.
If any questions, call Donna Keller at 618-562-3434.

Lake Sara Fireworks
2026-07-03

Dieterich 4th of July Celebration
2026-07-03

Effingham Farmer's Market
2026-07-04
PrintThe Effingham Farmer’s Market will be every Saturday, from May 30th through October 31st. The Market will be open from 8:00 – Noon on the old courthouse lawn.
There will be fresh produce, baked goods, plants, and flowers, as well as arts and crafts.

Homesteaders Market
2026-07-04

Farina 4th of July Celebration
2026-07-04

July 4th Independence Day Parking Lot Party at Effingham Event Center; Fireworks at EHS at 9pm
2026-07-04
PrintThe Effingham Knights of Columbus are hosting the 14th year of the Independence Day Parking Lot Party at the Effingham Event Center on Saturday, July 4th!
Danny Shelton and the Birddogs will play before and after the fireworks. As this is the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Noon Rotary is planning a really nice fireworks display! The fireworks display will include the singing of the National Anthem, an honor guard made up of local veterans organizations, and patriotic music, will begin at 9pm at Klosterman Field at Washington Savings Bank. Free admission will be available in the football stands.
Meanwhile, back at the Event Center, the Council will be cooking up porkburgers, hamburgers, hot dogs, and Nuxoll brats, so bring an appetite. Toppins Ice Cream and Macklin Kettle Corn will also be available for purchase. No outside alcohol is allowed to be brought on the grounds, please.
The playground will be open for kids, and the horseshoe pits for the adults.
Parking is first-come, first served, and lawn areas will be reserved for chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks. The west side of the building will have an area blocked off for lawn chairs, and there will be tables and chairs set up in this area.
Come on out for food, fun, family, friends, and fireworks!

Rededication of the Teutopolis Town Bell
2026-07-04
PrintThe Rededication of the Teutopolis Town Bell will be on Saturday, July 4th at 9:00 A.M. This will be at the Teutopolis Village Hall.
There will be a short ceremony to celebrate the restoration of the historic bell.
The public can park in the church parking lot and bring lawn chairs.

Saturday's Schedule
2026-07-04
PrintMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, 7:08 p.m.
NASCAR
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at Chicagoland Speedway, 4 p.m.

Greenup Celebrating America 250 and Mural Tile Painting Unveiling
2026-07-04
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Every group and organization in our community has painted over 625 tiles since the beginning of the year and we can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Also, Greenup is registered as an official America 250th Celebration City!
